The Syracuse Crunch's rookies grew a lot lighter in the wallet last week, but at least the team as a whole fattened up in St. John's with four points on the weekend.

With the team taking advantage of a well-deserved off day on Monday, Syracuse captain Mike Angelidis reflected on the team's four-game road trip. It was a journey that ended well with comeback wins on The Rock after losses in Hershey and Toronto.

The two wins came after the Crunch had dropped four straight...after it had won eight in a row...after it had lost eight of 10.

"We're getting back to where we need to be a bit,'' Angelidis said. "We came out slowly (in St, John's). If we can play like we did in the second and third in both those games, that'd be good.

"We have to take a step back and play hockey. The only way out of this losing streak is to realize we're in this together. Everybody wants to win. Everybody is trying their best. Just some nights it's not going for you. That's the one thing I've been saying to the guys, just play smart.''

The team used the time on the road for a handful of outings, including a rookie dinner at the pricey Harbour Sixty Steakhouse in Toronto. The veterans showed some mercy on the rookies - nice of them, considering those prices - and kicked in a little from the team's fines fund to help pay for the bill.

"Now, there's no rookies here on out,'' Angelidis said. "We're all in this together.''

- Angelidis suffered a broken nose in the game against Toronto but played in both St. John's games without any extra protection.